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NORTH -- As darkness chased the final rays of sunlight across the countryside, and temperatures descended to the 30s, the little stranger searched for a comfortable place to spend the night.
The pain in her right leg wouldn't let up, and she was hungry, thirsty and exhausted.
The stranger had cried out for help so many times that her voice was almost gone. No one had responded. Weak and tired, she limped toward a fading patch of light.
Something blue caught her eye and seemed to call to her. She pulled her wounded body toward the object and settled down to rest beside the blue thing. As the stars twinkled above, fatigue overwhelmed her, and she drifted off to sleep.
It was Christmas Eve morning, and members of the Pennington household in North were up with the sun. Nancy Pennington, accustomed to the early bird lifestyle, looked forward to starting each day with her usual outdoor routine.
Excitement filled the air as the Pennington's looked forward to Christmas Day. Nancy sensed it would be a day of surprises, but she had no idea why she felt that way. Pushing the front door open, she stepped outside with pets Ginger, Tiger, G.G., Miss South Carolina and Maggie Moon Pie in tow.
It was feeding time in the barnyard, and Nancy prepared breakfast for her pot-bellied pig, two cats, two goats and seven dogs. As she poured food and water into feeding bowls and troughs, Nancy reflected on childhood memories of her father bringing home injured, lost or abandoned animals to care for.
She thought about the little alligator that had lost a portion of his tail in an accident, the baby deer separated from its mother, the frightened timber wolf, the skunk rescued from a trap, the baby kangaroo and little calf she bottle-fed. Over the years, there were many wild and domestic animals Nancy had tended to, and each rescued pet had a unique story.
When feeding time was over, Nancy noticed a flash of red near a berry-covered bush, and, instinctively, she blew wishes from the palm of her hand in the red bird's direction. As she called out to her playful "children" that it was time to go back to the house, Nancy scanned the yard to locate each pet. Glancing in the direction of the grave of her beloved dog, Bully Boy, a slight movement caught her eye, and she hurried over to investigate.
Bully Boy had passed away a year-and-a-half ago, and Nancy and her husband, Jim, positioned the grave near their home so Nancy could visit it often. The blue cross erected at the head of the grave distinguished the mound of earth from its surroundings.
As she drew nearer to the gravesite, Nancy saw a pitiful sight before her. Snuggled around the blue cross on Bully Boy's grave was a brown and white dog with a severely injured leg. Instinctively, Nancy dropped to her knees and spoke soothingly to the young, red-nosed pit bull.
"Where in the world did you come from, little dog, on this Christmas Eve morning?" Nancy asked.
The dog looked at her with pleading eyes. Nancy responded the way she always does when she finds an animal in need. Assessing the situation, she scooped up the months-old dog and gently carried it into the warm house.
Nancy alerted Jim and telephoned her friend and neighbor, Donna Elliott. The threesome pondered the plight of the injured dog, and all agreed immediate medical attention was needed.
Nancy had very little money to spare, but that didn't matter. She and Donna made calls in hopes of finding an open veterinarian office on Christmas Eve, and again on Christmas Day, but were unsuccessful. The pair did their best to make the dog comfortable until Dec. 26, when they drove to a Columbia veterinarian office with the little dog Nancy nicknamed Eve.
During the ride, Nancy told Donna about the times she had adopted injured or abandoned pets -- the chow she rescued from a junk yard that had suffered extensive beatings and abuse, the dog with a broken leg that she nursed back to health, and others. The familiar scenario was playing out yet again.
Nancy wondered why people don't take responsibility for their animals, why they abandon them and expect someone else to take care of their unwanted or injured cats and dogs.
When they arrived in Columbia, a veterinarian prescribed pain medication for Eve and an antibiotic to treat infection. Surgery to remove her mangled leg was recommended, but the cost of the operation was an expense Nancy and Donna could not afford. On the trip back to North, they prayed for a miracle.
The pair found one in Dr. Ann Hurst, an Orangeburg veterinarian who, after hearing Eve's story, accepted the injured dog as a patient and offered to work out a payment plan for her services. Following a medical evaluation on Dec. 27, surgery to amputate Eve's wounded leg was scheduled for the following morning. It was deemed a success, and Hurst told Nancy and Donna that with proper care, Eve should make a full recovery.
Video of Pennington with Eve shortly after Eve's surgery
Although it has been just over a week since the surgery, Eve can stand and is learning to balance herself on three legs. The pain associated with infection and surgery is being controlled, and today, Eve appears to be content.
As Eve's story quickly circulated throughout the Orangeburg community, people donated food and offered to assist with surgery expenses, leading to the establishment of a fund in Eve's name at Hurst's office, Edisto Pet Clinic, located on 1309 Springdale St., Orangeburg.
There are many unanswered questions about Eve's former life. Was she abandoned? Did she get lost? How did such a serious injury occur? How was Eve able to survive what is thought to have been weeks with such a terrible wound? How did she have the strength to make it to Nancy Pennington's country home?
Donna Elliott and her son, Joey, who have adopted the dog and officially named her Christmas Eve, aren't dwelling on the unanswered questions these days. They are simply doing whatever it takes to ensure their new pet has a safe recovery and a happy future.
T&D Features Writer Sonja Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at sgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5540. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.
There are lots of reasons people have for wanting to add a new puppy or kitty to the family -- they're cute and cuddly, are fun playmates, make wonderful companions, give unconditional love and reward their owners with a lifetime of loyalty.
But there are even more responsibilities associated with pet ownership. Getting a pet should not be an impulsive action. Adding one to a family is a serious decision that requires long-term commitment, because many pets live 10 or 15 years -- sometimes longer.
While many Americans care for their pets, millions of unwanted dogs and cats are dropped off at animal shelters, deposited along roadsides or left to die on the streets each year. Every day, the numbers climb, making abandoned animals a national crisis.
Dr. Ann Hurst of Edisto Pet Clinic in Orangeburg has been a veterinarian for nearly 30 years. She said the problem of unwanted animals in Orangeburg County is huge.
"People don't seem to understand that pets don't have the ability to take care of themselves and depend on humans to provide necessities such as food, shelter and medical attention for them," Hurst said. "Overpopulation produces serious problems such as stray animals that often pose a threat to humans and wildlife, overburdened animal shelters and millions of dollars being used to control unwanted animals."
National statistics show that of the thousands of unwanted animals handled through animal shelters, only a small percentage are adopted, and as many as 92 percent are euthanized.
What is the solution?
Hurst said the solution to the animal overpopulation problem is complicated one, but a continued effort will do a great deal of good over time.
"Everyone will have to become involved in solving the burden of unwanted animals," she said. "Many of the animals dropped off at animal shelters make wonderful pets or companions when given the opportunity, and I encourage people to consider adoption.
"And, all pet owners must take the initiative to have their animals spayed or neutered."
Programs that teach people how to properly care for a pet is also recommended, and she said people should take unwanted pets to an animal shelter and not drop them off in another neighborhood.
"Just because there are houses in the location where people dump their unwanted pets does not guarantee that someone will rescue the animals and give them a home," Hurst said.
Animal shelter adoptions
There are several good reasons to adopt a pet from an animal shelter, Hurst said, including the fact that adoption staff members will assist in the selection of the best breed and type for an individual or family.
"It is important to adopt a pet that will be a good match for both the pet and the adoptive family or individual," Hurst said. "And, if you don't find your perfect match on your first visit to the animal shelter, keep going back until you do. Shelters get new animals almost every day."
Animal shelters in Orangeburg and Bamberg currently have a number of cats and dogs available for adoption. B.J. Griffin said the SPCA handles adoptions for the animals housed at Orangeburg County Animal Shelter.
"We have about 30 dogs and more than a dozen cats that need good homes," Griffin said. "People can view these animals at the shelter weekdays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m."
Mama's Animal Shelter in Bamberg currently home to a number of adoptable cats, kittens, dogs and puppies. Shelter hours are 3 to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.
Gayle Workman of Mama's said spaying and neutering services, which is an adoption requirement, can be arranged at the time of adoption.
Also, if it's a purebred you're after, animal shelters occasionally have them available for an adoption fee less than pet store or breeder prices.
Pet owner's quiz
Before purchasing or adopting a pet, answer the following questions to develop a profile:
Why do you want a pet?
What type of pet do you want?
Can you afford the money required to feed and groom the pet?
Do you have enough money to pay for regular visits to the veterinarian and necessary medications to maintain the pet's good health?
How much time do you plan on spending with your pet each day?
Do you have proper shelter and bedding for the pet?
Will a pet fit into your lifestyle?
Do you have anyone to take care of your pet should you become ill?
Because pets can develop illnesses and diseases such as diabetes and arthritis, can you afford and will you be able to care for an aging pet and its special needs?
Finding the perfect match
Deciding on the right dog or cat for your family involves more than choosing a personality, so proceed carefully and be prepared to accept responsibility for the physical and emotional well-being of your pet.
For example, some pets are playful while others are passive, so it is important to select a compatible type and breed. There are miniature pups and dogs that weigh more than 100 pounds. Some cats have short hair, while others have long hair and fluffy tails. Many pets thrive outdoors, while others must stay indoors most of the time.
Other questions to consider before adopting to purchasing a pet include:
Do you prefer a puppy or kitten to train yourself, or will an older pet that has already been trained be more suitable?
Are family members allergic to pet dander or sensitive to pet odors?
How do you feel about having pet dander on your furnishings and clothing and a litter box in the house, or will your yard accommodate a dog house and secured play area?
Do you have space inside your home for a comfortable bed, toys and food?
If you rent a house, apartment or condominium, does your landlord allow pets, or will there be an additional rental fee for keeping a pet on the premises?
Can you afford to spay or neuter your pet? Your veterinarian can fully explain the procedure and benefits.